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There are six teams on a bye, so the pool of players on the fantasy radar hasn't been larger this season. When you add in injuries, there are a ton of key start-or-sit decisions at the halfway point of the NFL season. Our injury updates and reports for Week 9 as of Friday, November 4th, 2022, will get you up to date on the latest news surrounding key players. As always, some players have more "real" risk to miss Week 9 than others, but things change quickly, so it's important to stay up to date.
Michael Thomas, Rashod Bateman, Chuba Hubbard, James Conner, and more are all in real danger of missing Week 9. We have plenty of must-starts on this week's injury list, so fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
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Michael Thomas Injury Update
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (toe) was placed on Injured Reserve on Thursday and will likely miss the rest of the season. Head coach Dennis Allen revealed that Thomas will undergo surgery after an MRI exam showed that his toe had not healed the way the team had hoped. Specifically, the injury is a dislocated second toe, and Thomas did everything he could to rehab it without needing surgery. It's another disappointing end after he missed all of last season with a foot injury. Thomas will have missed most of three seasons since his five-year, $96 million extension that went into effect in 2020.
The news means rookie first-rounder Chris Olave should be the team's undisputed No. 1 wideout the rest of the way. Jarvis Landry (ankle) hasn't played since Week 4, but he's back at practice and could return in Week 9. Marquez Callaway and Tre'Quan Smith should maintain bigger roles as well the rest of the way with Thomas likely out the rest of the season.
Rashod Bateman Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (foot) is having season-ending Lisfranc surgery on his left foot, according to head coach John Harbaugh. Bateman can now be safely dumped in single-year fantasy formats with this news. The 22-year-old was the team's No. 1 receiver and will finish 2022 with 15 receptions on 28 targets for 285 yards and two touchdowns in six games in his second NFL season.
With Bateman now out the rest of the way, receivers Demarcus Robinson, Devin Duvernay and James Proche II all become more interesting flex plays, especially with tight end Mark Andrews (ankle, shoulder) also nursing injuries. Don't forget about DeSean Jackson possibly becoming a factor in this offense, too.
Chuba Hubbard Injury Update
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday. He was ruled out for last Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a sprained ankle. He has been limited in practice this week and will have one more chance to log a full practice to increase his chances of suiting up in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hubbard rushed for nine carries for 63 yards and one touchdown while catching two passes for 10 yards in the Week 7 win over the Buccaneers. If active, Hubbard is a flex option in deep-league formats against a Bengals defense that ranks seventh in rush DVOA this season.
James Conner Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (ribs) was limited in Thursday's practice. He has been limited in back-to-back practices due to a rib injury. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since Week 5 and will have to log a full practice on Friday to increase his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
If Conner is ruled out in Week 9, Eno Benjamin would lead Arizona's backfield and is a mid-range RB2 against a Seahawks defense that ranks 14th in rush DVOA this season.
Darren Waller Injury Update
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) was limited in practice again on Thursday. Waller hasn't played since Week 5, but he looks to have a real chance to return this weekend to face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
If he's active, he'll return to his role as the starting tight end and as a low-end TE1 in fantasy, but he's disappointed so far in 2022 with 16 catches for 175 yards and one score in five games. If he's out again, Foster Moreau will once again be a TE2 streamer in deeper leagues.
Keenan Allen Injury Update
UPDATE FRIDAY 11/4: Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. Believe it or not, Allen actually made his hamstring worse during the bye week while training and will miss yet another game after returning in Week 7 for the first time since the season opener.
It's been a trying year for Allen and his fantasy managers in 2022, and we can only hope he'll make it back in Week 10 to face the San Francisco 49ers. With Allen out again this weekend, Joshua Palmer and DeAndre Carter should see big roles in the passing game with Mike Williams (ankle) still on Injured Reserve. Palmer and Carter will both have upside as flex options for fantasy managers.
Austin Ekeler Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (abdominal) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice. It didn't seem like Ekeler was dealing with anything heading into practice. Possibly, it's a minor issue or Ekeler suffered the injury during practice. Regardless, fantasy managers will have to keep an eye on Ekeler heading into Friday's practice.
His absence would mean chaos for the Chargers backfield. They'd be forced to use a committee of Sony Michel, Isaiah Spiller and fullback Zander Horvath. For what it's worth, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport later tweeted that it sounds like the Bolts are just being cautious with Ekeler.
Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry Injury Update
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (foot) and quarterback Ryan Tannehill (ankle) did not take part in Thursday's practice. Per ESPN's Turron Davenport, Henry's absence was rest-related after he was listed as limited on Wednesday. Henry's foot isn't expected to be an issue heading into Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, so as long as he doesn't suffer a setback on Friday, he needs to be locked into starting lineups for the week.
Tannehill was limited on Wednesday and had his right ankle taped on Thursday. The 34-year-old missed last week's win over the Houston Texans and should be considered questionable for the Sunday night game against the Chiefs, making Tannehill much too risky this weekend. Rookie Malik Willis could be headed for his second career start.
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